Smoothing-iron



Patented Dec. 6, I898.

T. HAWKES.

SMOOTHING IRON.

(Application filed Nov. 5, 1897.

' (No Model.)

1 wzrsns w. PMQTQUTHQ- WASHINGTON u c UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

THOMASHA'WKES, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

SMOOTHlNG-IRON.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 615,356, dated December 6, 1898. Application filed November 5,1897. Serial No. 657,509. (No model.)

such as willenable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

The object of this invention is to provide improved means for heating smoothing-irons and other implements by gasolene or similar inflammable material and to control more perfectly and easily the flow of such fuel to the point of ignition. For this purpose and various incidental advantages my invention consists, partly, in the combination of a resilient flexible disk or plate and means for ad justing the same with a jet-block having a passage for the gasolene arranged to be opened or closed at will by the said plate without disturbing the jet-nozzle or obstructing the outlet of the same. The said invention consists also in certain improvements in the said nozzle and in means for purifying and cleaning out the passage in the jet-block; in the especial construction of the generator and its adaptation to and combination with the burner; in divers details of the adjusting mechanism, the jet-block, and additional features, substantially as hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 represents a longitudinal central vertical section through a smoothing-iron provided with heating devices embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents arear end view of the ironbody. Fig. 3 represents a detail perspective view of the generator with attached gasolenepipes. Fig. 4 represents a similar View of the sleeve or cylindrical casing. Fig. 5 repre sents a similar view of the jet-nozzle. Fig. 6 represents a similar view of the jet-block and inlet devices. Fig. 7 represents a similar view of the cut-0E disk or plate from the inner side and inreversely-inclined position. Fig. 8 represents a similar view of the adjusting-screw and yoke, the screw knob or head being slightly detached. Fig. 9 represents a similar view of the cylindrical screen or filter, and Fig. 10 represents a plan View of the yoke and jet-block.

A designates the hollow body of a smoothing-iron, having a handle A. A hollow cylindrical burner B extends from the rear end of the body nearly to the forward end within the said body and is provided with perforations 12 at intervals along its length. A sleeve or casing G incloses the rear end of the said burner and is held by a screw V in an opening in the rear wall of the iron. The jetblock D has a cylindrical inner extension D, that fits tightly into the outer end of the said casing. The main body of this block is of larger diameter and disk form. It has a central recess or chamber D in its outer side, leaving an annular rim d. From the central point of this chamber a passage (1 extends forward to a recess d receiving the jet-nozzle E, the bore of which nozzle forms a continuation of the said passage. This nozzle discharges into the casing O at a point nearly opposite an air-opening O in the side of the said casing. In the said jet-block is also formed another and larger passage d extending from a point on its periphery to an opposite point of the same and passing near the center, but avoiding the jet-passage d. This passage d is closed at one end by a screw (1 and receives at the other end an inlet-nozzle (1 which is held in place by a screw (1 and is supplied through a gasolene-pipe F with inflammable Vapor from a flat thin hollow generator M. A branch passage d connects passage (1 with chamber D, so that the gasolene vapor flows from generator M through pipe F, inlet-nozzle (Z inlet-passages d d, chamber D jet-passage d, and jet-nozzle E to casing C and burner 13, igniting as it enters the latter. In the passage 01 at the junction of branch passage (Z I place a removable screen 9 of cylindrical form, having perforated or foraminous sides for the purpose of filtering the gasolene vapor on its way to the jet-block. To cut off this flow at will, I employ a movable disk G, of flexible resilient metal, preferably brass, having an internallyscrew-threaded socket G, presented away from the smoothing-iron to receive an adj usting-screw H, that works through and is sup ported by a yoke or bracket 1, which is fastened at its ends to the said jet-block by screws 2'. The cut-oft disk or plate G is hardsoldered at its edge to the rim (Z and forms the rear wall of chamber D When the central part of this disk is forced in against the block D by the action of screw II, it closes the rear or outer ends of the jet-passage d and the branch inlet-passage d thus entirely cutting off the flow of gasolene. To make this action more certain, the said disk is provided with a central conical projection (1 entering a concavity d of similar form and size at the proximate end of the jet-passage.

The screw H is provided withright-hand threads it near its outer end for engaging the correspondingly-screw-tapped yoke or bracket I and receiving the screw knob or handle H and with left hand threads it near its inner end, engaging the corresponding threads of the socket. G. The said adjusting-screw thereby has a double action in pressing the said disk against the j et-block. When turned to the right, its engagement with the yoke forces the screw itself lengthwise inward, while at the same time the turning of the other set of threads moves the socket inward relatively to said screw. Since, therefore, one set of threads moves the screw and the disk and the other set of threads by the same movement moves the disk additionally in the same inward direction, it follows that a very slight turn of the said screw will effect all the adjustment that is desired or needed for opening or closing the passages of the jetblock. The knob II of said screw may be detachably fastened by screw 77?.

The jet-nozzle E is screwed into the jetblock and may be easily removed for the substitution of another having a different size of outlet or for cleaning or repairing.

To provide for automatic regulation of heat and pressure, I make the generator M shorter than the burner B. When the pressure becomes excessive, the burning vapor is driven thereby along the interior of the burner beyond that part of it which is opposite the said generator and escapes through holes, which do not permit it to act thereon. This lessens the heat of the said generatonwhich, being broad, flat, hollow, and thin, (see Fig. 3,) is very susceptible to such changes. The pressure is correspondingly diminished, and as the flames again issue against the generator the heat of thelatterincreases. Thus the generator and heater, constructed as described, with the aid of the intervening passages, automatically regulate their own heat and action. The gasolene is drawn from any convenient reservoir and supplied through a pipe L to the said generator. This pipe passes, preferably, through the top or cover A of the smoothing-iron, which, with the rear end plate A is made removable for convenience of access to the parts within. Detachable plates A on each side of plate A are provided for convenience in lighting the jet.

The inner end of the burner is supported on a brass plate-bar or bracket W, which conducts heat also to the bottom plate of the llOIl.

The gasolene is preferably supplied by a reservoir and an air-pump mounted on the iron; but these I do not show, as my improvements will work whatever the source of supply.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A jet-block having a recess at its back, surrounded by a rim to form a chamber, a jet-passage extending from the said chamber throughto the front of the block; and an inletpassage communicating with the said chamber, in combination with a gasolenepipe, discharging into the other end of the said inlet-passage, a jet-nozzle, fitting into the front of the said jet-block and communieating with the said jet-passage, a burner heated by the flame from the said jet-nozzle, a movable disk, which is the only outer wall of the said chamber on the rear side, and means for moving the said disk at will against the rear of the said jet-block, in order to close the said passages and ciit off the flow of gasolene substantially as set forth.

2. A jet-block having a recess at its back surrounded by a rim to form a chamber, a jet-passage extending from the said chamber through to the front of the block, an inlet passage extending through the said block and closed at one end by a removable screw or plug, but provided with a branch passage communicating with the said chamber, in combination with a gasolene-pipe discharging into the other end of the said inlet-passage, a jet-nozzle fitting into the front of the said jet-block and communicating with the said jet -passage, a burner heated by the flame from the said jet-nozzle, a disk which forms the outer wall of the said chamber and means for adjusting the said disk at will against the rear of the said jet-block in order to close the said jet-passage and branch inlet-passage and cut off the flow substantially as set forth.

3. In combination with a burner and a jetnozzle discharging into the same, a jet-block into which the said nozzle is fitted, a casing connecting the said jet-block and burner, a disk adapted to be pressed against the rear of the said jet-block to close its passages and provided with a screw-threaded socket, a screw with two sets of threads having reverse inclination, a screw-tapped yoke or bracket fixed to the said block and means for supplying gasolene to the passages in the said block, one of the sets of threads of the said screw engaging with the said socket and the other set with the said yoke or bracket substantially as set forth.

4. In combination with a burner and a j et nozzle discharging into the same, a flat thin generator arranged parallel to the said burner but ofless length, means of supplying the said generator with gasolene and tubular connec tions between the said generator and the jetnozzle, the burner being provided with perforations at intervals throughout its length and the heat and pressure being automatically regulated substantially as set forth.

5. In combination with a jet-block having a rim d on its outer face, and a jet-passage and inlet-passage communicating separately with the chamber surrounded by the said rim, a disk of flexible material, soldered at its edge to said rim, and forming an outer Wall for said chamber, means for forcing the said disk against the said jet-block, means for supplying inflammable fluid to said inlet-passage, and a burner which receives the discharge from the said jet-passage, substantially as set forth.

6. A j et-block having a j et-passage through it, ending in a conical concavity on the outer side of said block, in combination with a disk of flexible material, having a central conical projection adapted to fit the said concavity, means for forcing the said projection into the said concavity, means for supplying inflambetween it and said block, means for forcing the said disk against the said block to close the said passage, and means for supplying inflammable fluid to the said chamber substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

THOMAS HAWKES. Witnesses:

WILLIS MITCHELL,

. ICHASL W. HOWARD 

